Liquid cleaner dispenser for toilet

ABSTRACT

The present invention is to provide a dispensing device comprising a dispenser having an upper channel and a bottom opening for storing liquid cleaner; a connecting cup extended downward from the dispenser including at least one aperture on a bottom thereof; and a float in the connecting cup opposite the bottom opening. While the dispenser is mounted in a toilet tank, the float is adapted to either engage with or move away from the bottom opening as the water level in the toilet tank rises or falls. As such, the dispenser is adapted to automatically dispense liquid cleaner to the toilet tank or stop dispensing liquid cleaner to the toilet tank as the float falls or rises.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to toilet cleaning devices and moreparticularly to a liquid cleaner dispenser mounted in a toilet tank withimproved characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Conventionally, toilet cleaning is not a job that everybody likesto do. Also, unpleasant toilet odor is strong if not sufficient cleaningis done. As such, a wide variety of cleaners have been developed bycleaner manufacturing companies. The cleaners are adapted to remove dirtor the like from toilet bowl. Further, such cleaners are available toenable a user easily clean toilet. It is known that a laboring cleaningof toilet by using cleaner may cause dirty water to spill over a user.This is not desirable. It is also known dirt can be easily formed aftera period of time since a previous cleaning. Hence, a cleaning per use isrequired. This is a tedious job. As a solution to the above drawback,solid cleaners shaped as blocks (e.g., cleaning blocks) have beendeveloped by cleaner manufacturing companies. The cleaning block hasingredients of cleaner and deodorant. The cleaning block can be directlythrown into a toilet tank to dissolve. As a result, water is mixed withthe dissolved cleaning block to form a cleaning solution. After usingtoilet, a person can flush defecation and/or urination with the cleaningsolution stored in the toilet tank. As an end, dirt is not easy toaccumulate on a toilet bowl.

[0003] However, amount of the cleaning block dissolved in the toilettank may reduce gradually as time passes. Also, amount of the cleaningblock mixed with water at one period of time may be different from thatat another period of time (e.g., either longer or shorter). Hence, it istypical that one flushing having excessive amount of dissolved cleaningblock can sufficiently clean toilet and fill the rest room with afragrant odor with the expense of wasting portions of the cleaningblock. To the contrary, a desired cleaning cannot be achieved if amountof the cleaning block dissolved in the toilet tank is not sufficient.

[0004] Moreover, it is found that the cleaning block can be sufficientlymixed with water in the toilet tank after a predetermined period of timesince a previous water refilling. However, no sufficient dissolution ofthe cleaning block in water is made after the predetermined period oftime (i.e., no water refilled) even the cleaning block is stilldissolving. Hence, large concentrations of cleaner and deodorant existon the bottom of toilet tank. As a result, dirt can be easily removed byflushing water contained the dissolved cleaner while leaving smallconcentration of deodorant. As such, an effective time of the remainingdeodorant is limited after flushing.

[0005] Thus, it is desirable to provide an improved liquid cleanerdispenser in toilet in which the dispenser is able to dispense a fixedamount of liquid cleaner in a toilet tank, i.e., irrespective ofdifferent time intervals between any two continual times of flushing,for a flushing thereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] One object of the present invention is to provide a dispensingdevice comprising a dispenser for storing liquid cleaner, the dispensercomprising an upper channel and a bottom opening; a connecting cupextended downward from the dispenser, the connecting cup including atleast one aperture on a bottom thereof; and a float in the connectingcup opposite the bottom opening. The dispenser is mounted in a toilettank. The float is adapted to either engage with or move away from thebottom opening as the water level in the toilet tank rises or falls. Assuch, the dispenser is adapted to automatically dispense liquid cleanerto the toilet tank or stop dispensing liquid cleaner to the toilet tankas the float falls or rises. As a result, a fixed amount of liquidcleaner is dispensed to the toilet tank to be fully mixed with water inthe toilet tank.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a small,enclosed dispenser in the toilet tank, a large container outside thetoilet tank, the container being adapted to store liquid cleaner, and aflexible tube interconnected the container or a top opening of thedispenser and the toilet tank. As such, fluid level of the toilet tankis perpendicular to the dispenser by bending the flexible tube. Also,the dispenser is suitably disposed in the toilet tank. A vent hole isformed on the container for communicating with outside. Hence, insideand outside pressures of the container will be in equilibrium by theprovision of vent hole. Further, liquid cleaner in the container willflow into the dispenser via the flexible tube by its own weight. Thedispenser is provided to suspend in the toilet tank due to the followingreasons: There is a water saving device installed in the toilet tank,resulting in an insufficient space for mounting a large containertherein. Alternatively, inner wall of the toilet tank is inclined orcurve, resulting in a difficulty of mounting the dispenser in the toilettank. Still alternatively, a user does not want to be bothered byfrequently removing the dispenser from the toilet tank for liquidcleaner refilling.

[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide arail longitudinally disposed on an inner wall of the dispenser, aninverted U-shaped hoist rope slidable on the rail, an upper depressiblespring detent on an outer surface of the dispenser facing the rail andbeing coupled to an inner end of the hoist rope, and a holed memberhaving a plurality of apertures along the rail, any one of the aperturesbeing adapted to lock the depressible spring detent when the hoist ropeslides along the rail. As such, the dispenser is suspended in thevertically disposed toilet tank by means of the hoist rope. Also, it ispossible of changing a relative positioning of the dispenser in thetoilet tank and controlling amount of liquid cleaner dispensed to thetoilet tank. In other words, a user can adjust amount of liquid cleanerdispensed to the toilet tank as desired.

[0009] The above and other objects, features and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first preferred embodimentof liquid cleaner dispenser mounted in a toilet tank according to theinvention; and

[0011]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second preferred embodimentof liquid cleaner dispenser mounted in a toilet tank according to theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a liquid cleanerdispenser 1 mounted in a toilet tank 3 of toilet in accordance with theinvention. As designed, fluid is automatically refilled into the tank 3after flushing. Solution (e.g., liquid cleaner) is stored in thedispenser 1. The dispenser 1 comprises an upper channel 10 for refillingsolution, a bottom opening 12, a connecting cup 16 extended downward inwhich a bottom of the connecting cup 16 is spaced from the bottomopening 12 by a predetermined distance and the connecting cup 16includes at least one aperture 162 on the bottom. The dispenser 1further comprises a float 2 in the connecting cup 16 opposite the bottomopening 12. The float 2 is floated in the connecting cup 16 to bedisengaged from the bottom opening 12 for enabling solution in thedispenser 1 to flow out of the bottom opening 12 when a fluid level inthe tank 3 is lower than the bottom opening 12. The float 2 will alsorise to engage with the bottom opening 12 as the fluid level in the tank3 continues to rise. Eventually, the bottom opening 12 is closed by thefloat 2 to stop fluid in the dispenser 1 flowing out of the bottomopening 12. In brief, the dispenser 1 is adapted to automaticallydispense solution to the tank 3 or stop dispensing solution to the tank3. Also, fluid is continuously refilling the tank 3 during the processof dispensing solution to the tank 3. Hence, refilled fluid (e.g.,water) continuously mixes with the solution in the tank 3. As a result,water and solution are sufficiently mixed.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, in a first preferred embodiment of theinvention a small, enclosed dispenser 1 is mounted in the tank 3. Thedispenser 1 is provided due to the following reasons: There is a watersaving device installed in the tank 3, resulting in an insufficientspace for mounting a large container therein. Alternatively, inner wallof the tank 3 is inclined or curve, resulting in a difficulty ofmounting the dispenser 1 in the tank 3. Still alternatively, a user doesnot want to be bothered by frequently removing the dispenser 1 from thetank 3 for solution refilling. An opening 142 is formed on a side or top(as shown) of the dispenser 1. A flexible tube 4 has one end coupled tothe top opening 142 and the other end coupled to a large container 5 ontop of the tank 3. The container 5 is adapted to store solution. Thecontainer 5 comprises a top vent hole 52 for communicating with outside.As such, fluid level of the tank 3 is perpendicular to the dispenser 1by bending the flexible tube 4. Also, the dispenser 1 is suitablydisposed in the tank 3. Inside and outside pressures of the container 5will be in equilibrium by the provision of vent hole 52. Further,solution in the container 5 will flow into the dispenser 1 via theflexible tube 4 by its own weight.

[0014] In the preferred embodiment, the container 5 further comprises anopen casing 54, a top cover 56 for enclosing the open casing 54 oppositethe tank 3, and a side opening 58 bordered a bottom, the side opening 58being coupled to the flexible tube 4. Also, the vent hole 52 is disposedin the cover 56. As such, a user can remove the cover 56 from thecontainer 5 for refilling solution.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a second preferred embodimentof the invention. A cover 14 is fitted on top of the upper channel 10 ofthe dispenser 1. At least one opening 142 is formed in the cover 14. Theprovision of the cover 14 on the upper channel 10 aims at decreasing apossibility of dropping foreign objects into the dispenser 1, preventingthe bottom opening 12 from being clogged by foreign objects, andfacilitating solution in the dispenser 1 to flow out of the bottomopening 12. Moreover, the provision of the opening 142 aims at avoidingthe dispenser 1 from being enclosed and thus enabling a freecommunication with the outside. As such, solution in the dispenser 1 isable to flow out of the bottom opening 12 by its own weight when insideand outside pressures of the dispenser 1 are in equilibrium.

[0016] In the second preferred embodiment, a rail 182 is providedlongitudinally on an inner wall of the dispenser 1. An inverted U-shapedhoist rope 186 is formed to be slidable on the rail 182. An upperdepressible spring detent 184 is provided on an outer surface of thedispenser 1 facing the rail 182 and is coupled to an inner end of thehoist rope 186. A holed member having a plurality of apertures 181 areprovided along the rail 182. Each of the apertures 181 is adapted tolock the depressible spring detent 184. In detail, the depressiblespring detent 184 is adapted to lock in any one of the apertures 181while the hoist rope 186 is being pushed vertically along the rail 182.As such, a distance between a top portion of the hoist rope 186 and theconnecting cup 16 can be changed. In such a manner, the dispenser 1 issuspended in the vertically disposed tank 3 by means of the hoist rope186. Also, it is possible of changing a relative positioning of thedispenser 1 in the tank 3 depending on capacity or water level of thetank 3 as well as controlling amount of solution dispensed to the tank3.

[0017] Following is a detailed description of operation about theadjusted hoist rope 186 for fully understanding a position adjustment ofthe hoist rope 186 in the tank 3 and an amount control of solutiondispensed to the tank 3.

[0018] The dispenser 1 is proximate a bottom of the tank 3 when thedepressible spring detent 184 coupled to the hoist rope 186 is locked ata lowest aperture 181. Hence, water will rise quickly to reach the float2 during the process of refilling water in the tank 3. As such, thefloat 2 will engage with the bottom opening 12 in a relatively shortperiod of time to stop solution in the dispenser 1 from flowing out ofthe bottom opening 12. In this case amount of solution dispensed to thetank 3 is relatively small.

[0019] To the contrary, the dispenser 1 is distal from the bottom of thetank 3 when the depressible spring detent 184 coupled to the hoist rope186 is locked at a topmost aperture 181. Hence, water will rise slowlyto reach the float 2 during the process of refilling water in the tank3. As such, the float 2 will engage with the bottom opening 12 in arelatively long period of time to stop solution in the dispenser 1 fromflowing out of the bottom opening 12. In this case amount of solutiondispensed to the tank 3 is relatively large.

[0020] In either preferred embodiment the float 2 comprises a top roundplug 22 facing the bottom opening 12. The round plug 22 is inserted intothe bottom opening 12 for stopping up the bottom opening 12 when thefloat 2 is engaged with the bottom opening 12. As such, the float 2 isable to completely close the bottom opening 12. Moreover, in eitherpreferred embodiment the float 2 further comprises a cylindrical wall164 between the float 2 and the connecting cup 16. The cylindrical wall164 is closely proximate the float 2 for defining an up-and-downmovement of the float 2 in the cylindrical wall 164 and for enabling theround plug 22 to quickly stop up the bottom opening 12.

[0021] Moreover, in either preferred embodiment a bottom of thedispenser 1 is formed as an arcuate section 11 having a lowest pointabout at the bottom opening 12. The provision of the arcuate section 11aims at facilitating solution in the dispenser 1 to flow out of thebottom opening 12 by passing the arcuate section 11.

[0022] In the second preferred embodiment of the invention a weight 188is coupled to an outer end of the hoist rope 186. The weight 188 isslidable up-and-down along an outer surface of the tank 3. The provisionof the weight 188 aims at accommodating with different thicknesses andinside spaces of various tanks 3. As such, the dispenser 1 is adapted tostably mount in the tank 3 by appropriately selecting a weight 188coupled to the hoist rope 186.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1 again, in the first preferred embodiment aninner peripheral groove 166 is formed adjacent a top edge of theconnecting cup 16. A mating outer peripheral protrusion 13 is formed ata lower portion of the tank 3 slightly higher than the bottom opening12. As such, it is possible of mounting the float 2 within thecylindrical wall 164 of the connecting cup 16. Next, matingly couple theperipheral groove 166 to the peripheral protrusion 13 for securing theconnecting cup 16 to the dispenser 1. Note that the peripheral groove166 and the peripheral protrusion 13 are releasably secured so that itis possible of detaching the connecting cup 16 from the dispenser 1 whenthe bottom opening 12 is stopped up. Once the connecting cup 16 isdetached from the dispenser 1 a user can clean the bottom opening 12from outside of the dispenser 1. Next, the user can mount the connectingcup 16 in the dispenser 1 again after cleaning the bottom opening 12. Insuch a manner, the invention can avoid the dispenser 1 from beinginoperable because the bottom opening 12 is stopped up. As an end, aprolonged useful life of the dispenser 1 is made possible.

[0024] In brief, by configuring as above, the dispenser 1 is adapted toautomatically dispense solution to the tank 3 and control amount ofsolution dispensed to the tank 3. Most importantly, the dispensedsolution can be completely mixed with water in the tank 3 for overcomingthe drawbacks of uneven amount of cleaner and deodorant dissolved fromthe cleaning block and incomplete mixing the same with water asexperienced by directly throwing the cleaning block into the toilet tankin the prior art.

[0025] While the invention has been described by means of specificembodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made theretoby those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spiritof the invention set forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing device mounted in a toilet tank,comprising: a dispenser for storing liquid cleaner, the dispensercomprising an upper channel for refilling the liquid cleaner and abottom opening; a connecting cup extended downward from the dispenser,the connecting cup having a bottom spaced from the bottom opening by apredetermined distance and including at least one aperture on the bottomthereof; and a float in the connecting cup opposite the bottom opening.2. The dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising a first coverfitted on the upper channel and at least one vent hole in the firstcover.
 3. The dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising a raillongitudinally disposed on an inner wall of the dispenser, an invertedU-shaped hoist rope slidable on the rail, an upper depressible springdetent on an outer surface of the dispenser facing the rail and beingcoupled to an inner end of the hoist rope, and a holed member having aplurality of apertures along the rail, each of the apertures beingadapted to lock the depressible spring detent.
 4. The dispensing deviceof claim 1, wherein the float comprises a top plug facing the bottomopening.
 5. The dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the connecting cupfurther comprises a cylindrical wall around and proximate the float fordefining an up-and-down movement of the float therein.
 6. The dispensingdevice of claim 1, further comprising an arcuate section at a bottom ofthe dispenser, the arcuate section having a lowest point at the bottomopening.
 7. The dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising aweight coupled to an outer end of the hoist rope, the weight beingslidable up-and-down along an outer surface of the toilet tank.
 8. Thedispensing device of claim 1, wherein the dispenser is encloseddispenser, and further comprising a flexible tube having one end coupledto dispenser and a liquid cleaner container outside the toilet tank, thecontainer being coupled to the other end of the flexible tube, thecontainer including a vent hole.
 9. The dispensing device of claim 2,wherein one end of the flexible tube is coupled to the first cover, andfurther comprising a liquid cleaner container outside the toilet tank,the container being coupled to the other end of the flexible tube andincluding a vent hole.
 10. The dispensing device of claim 9, wherein thecontainer further comprises an open casing, a top cover for enclosingthe open casing opposite the toilet tank, and a side opening bordered abottom, the side opening being coupled to the flexible tube.
 11. Thedispensing device of claim 1, wherein the connecting cup furthercomprises an inner peripheral connecting member and the toilet tankcomprises a mating outer peripheral connecting member at a lower portionthereof, the outer peripheral connecting member being adapted tomatingly couple to the inner peripheral connecting member.